The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively become the de facto ruler of Venezuela, managing its government, resources, and finances from Washington.

This unprecedented influence comes within the framework of the new U.S. policy toward Venezuela following the arrest of former President Nicolas Maduro.

In a striking report based on interviews with more than 12 government officials and sources close to the Trump administration as well as interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, Rubio—who has not visited this South American country since the surprise U.S. military raid that led to the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last January and his being brought in handcuffs to be thrown into a New York prison and face U.S. lawsuits on drug-terrorism charges—wields control.

Nevertheless, Rubio is heavily involved in managing Venezuela's daily affairs, through constant communication with President Rodriguez in Spanish via WhatsApp, after building a friendly working relationship with her. He now wields significant influence over Rodriguez.

Rubio has repeatedly downplayed his role in Venezuela, denying accusations that the United States is occupying the country. He said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last January: 'There is no war against Venezuela, we have not occupied any country. There are no U.S. troops on the ground.'

The U.S. forces carried out their surprise military operation in Venezuela at a time when President Trump expressed his desire to return to an expansionist foreign policy, floating the idea of annexing Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and most importantly, Venezuela, to the United States.

An American helicopter flies over a Venezuelan port (EPA)

Three-step plan

Rubio's plan includes three steps to revive Venezuela and transform it into a democratic system. He affirmed that his plan so far consists of reviving Venezuela's economy, stabilizing the country, and transitioning to democracy.

Before the earthquakes that killed more than four people this month, he affirmed that he was in the process of stabilizing Venezuela, specifically through a set of economic and commercial measures.

The U.S. Treasury Department deducts revenues from most of Venezuela's exports and distributes them through its private banks. Rubio and the State Department directly control the revenues, stipulating how they are spent and what the Venezuelan government is allowed to disburse.

This system has enabled Rubio to halt massive corruption schemes in Venezuela. It also allowed the Venezuelan government to collect revenues without being pursued by creditors seeking payment, under the protection of the Treasury Department.

Consequently, Rodriguez relies on Rubio to pay government employee salaries and support the country's economy.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands behind President Donald Trump as he speaks to the media at the conclusion of his participation in the NATO leaders summit in Ankara on July 8 (Reuters)

Rubio also oversees the implementation of U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela and decides which entities are allowed to do business in the country. He has worked to restructure the oil sector and boosted U.S. companies' access to Venezuela.

The American newspaper quoted sources as saying that Rubio has taken charge of efforts to open Venezuela's energy sector to foreign investment, surpassing his counterpart U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

In return, Rodriguez implements most of Rubio's orders. She handles most high-level government appointments, hands over Venezuelans who have run into trouble with the U.S. Department of Justice, and allows him to set foreign policy.

For example, at the start of the war with Iran, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil issued a watered-down statement condemning the war. The Trump administration asked Rodriguez to delete the post. Indeed, it was deleted within hours.

In another notable example, Venezuela took over oil projects with the Russian state company Rosneft after Rubio warned Rodriguez against dealing with U.S. adversaries.

In another example of Rodriguez's subordination to the Trump administration, she refused to appear publicly at some events without Trump's approval. Fox News had asked Rodriguez for an interview. She replied that Trump himself must approve.

The New York Times detailed the circumstances of Rubio's acquisition of such strong sway since last January, when Rubio contacted Rodriguez. He told her in Spanish that she had two options: either cooperate with the U.S. government or watch the United States launch a wider attack on Venezuela. Rodriguez chose the first. Trump said that Rodriguez told Rubio she is 'completely ready to do what we deem necessary to make Venezuela great again.' Since then, U.S. officials have given Rubio the title 'Viceroy,' the title once given to provincial governors in the Spanish colonial empire.

Rubio's three-step plan aims to revive the economy, achieve stability, and transition to democracy. Control over revenues gives Washington significant leverage over the Caracas government. It also helps curb corruption and protect the government from creditors, but raises questions about Venezuela's sovereignty.